DennisPA
Well-Known Member
Ok all I'm getting ready for my first rifle competition this Sunday 5-20-12 and I would like some advice. Here's the data, a bone stock Savage 220 swift with a 6-18 Nikon scope. The competition is a "Ground Hog Shoot" basically a bench rest 100,200,300 yard shoot at paper targets with a standing GH silhouette.
I have a load that I can currently ½ to ¾ MOA. 55grain C/T Ballistic tips on top of IMR4831 with BR-2 primers, in Remington Brass. I'm planning to do some last minute test shooting Saturday to try out some additional loads. Here's my questions.
My current hunting load with the 55grain C/T's has a higher BC then the "Competition" bullets I have from Nosler. Is it worth switching to a "Competition" bullet even thou it has a lower BC? Are they really supposed to be that much better?
I just got a neck sizing die and was thinking about making this round of loads neck size only. My original groups were all shot with new brass. Will using once fired neck sized once fired brass mess up my load or can it only make it better?
Now for the powder, does powder change performance if it has been sitting around for a long time. If so how? I recently inherited some 1lb bottles of powder from my brother but I have no idea how old they are. I can confirm that they have been stored in a cool dark cabinet. These 50 rounds I'll be making for this shoot will polish of my IMR4831. So will I see a change when I get new powder?
Thanks for any input.
I have a load that I can currently ½ to ¾ MOA. 55grain C/T Ballistic tips on top of IMR4831 with BR-2 primers, in Remington Brass. I'm planning to do some last minute test shooting Saturday to try out some additional loads. Here's my questions.
My current hunting load with the 55grain C/T's has a higher BC then the "Competition" bullets I have from Nosler. Is it worth switching to a "Competition" bullet even thou it has a lower BC? Are they really supposed to be that much better?
I just got a neck sizing die and was thinking about making this round of loads neck size only. My original groups were all shot with new brass. Will using once fired neck sized once fired brass mess up my load or can it only make it better?
Now for the powder, does powder change performance if it has been sitting around for a long time. If so how? I recently inherited some 1lb bottles of powder from my brother but I have no idea how old they are. I can confirm that they have been stored in a cool dark cabinet. These 50 rounds I'll be making for this shoot will polish of my IMR4831. So will I see a change when I get new powder?
Thanks for any input.